Angleton rancher charged in cattle-rustling spree

RICHARD STEWART, Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

Published 5:30 am, Thursday, June 22, 2006

ANGLETON-- An area rancher was arraigned this morning on one count of cattle theft after he allegedly stole 280 cattle, including some from baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan, during a nine month rustling spree.

Jerome Heath Novak, 27, appeared before Justice of the Peace Wayne Dubose, who set bond at $5,000. He was expected to be released on that bond later today from the Brazoria County Jail.

Novak's alleged crime spree began in September when 17 cows and 14 calves were stolen from Ryan's ranch near Rosharon. A week later 16 more calves were stolen from Ryan's ranch.

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But it began to unravel last week when a cattle buyer at an auction in Groesbeck recognized a brand on a cow as belonging to one stolen earlier from another auction barn in Navasota.

Officers said they traced the cow back to Heath. This morning, Brazoria County Sheriff's Deputy Jack Langdon said other charges are pending against Heath in Brazoria and as many as seven other counties.

Cattle theft is a third-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Investigators put the total value of cattle stolen at $250,000 to $300,000.